Rajahmundry: The Chief Minister’s wish to divert Godavari water to Krishna delta through Pattiseema lift irrigation scheme may not be fulfilled as the water level in the river is not sufficient even to cater to the demand for cultivation of crops for rabi season in Godavari districts.
Irrigation authorities say that normally it requires nearly 10,000 cusecs of Godavari water for cultivation of paddy and other crops spread over in about 8.96 lakh acres area in Godavari districts during rabi season.
However, at present, the Godavari river is having inflows over 3,000 cusecs of water and nearly 2,000 cusecs to 3,000 cusecs of water will be brought from Seeleru reservoir to supply water for cultivation of crops in Godavari districts.
As the demand for Godavari water peaks up, the irrigation authorities may not be in a position to ensure adequate supply of water. However, the state government learnt to be holding talks with the Odisha government to supply water with an assurance to provide power.
The authorities say that even if additional quantum of water is available, such quantum of water is expected to barely meet the demand for cultivation of crop during rabi.
On the other hand, Krishna delta area is in desperate need of water for cultivation of crops at present. As per the guidelines recommended for operation of Pattiseema lift irrigation scheme, Godavari water should be supplied to meet the local needs of Godavari districts on priority basis and only after doing so, any surplus water can be diverted to Krishna delta area. With no adequate water available in Godavari, there is no question of surplus water to divert to Krishna delta.
Godavari river conservator P.V. Tirupati Rao said, "”We are initiating all steps to get adequate water in Godavari river to meet the demand for cultivation of crops for rabi season. If we find no surplus water in the river, there will be no diversion of its water to Krishna delta.”
Meanwhile, the Pattiseema lift scheme authorities say that by end of November, as many as five pumps out of a total 24, will become operational to pump nearly 1,750 cusecs of water to Krishna delta through Polavaram irrigation project’s Right Main Canal.
Pattiseema lift scheme chief engineer V.S. Ramesh Babu said, “If there is no surplus water available in Godavari river, we will shut the pumps to stop diversion of water for some time.”
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